Yesterday morning, I had one of those I-have-no-clue-what-to-wear-to-work days. You know, the ones where you stand in front of your closet for a good 10 minutes, mentally dressing yourself in every single outfit you own, and then mentally throwing them in a heap on the floor when you realize you don’t want to wear any of them. I hate those mornings.
In the midst of my mental dressing session, I actually did pluck a pair of cute white Bermuda shorts from a hanger and try them on. As I was pondering which shirt would work best with them, I stopped. Wait. Could I even wear shorts to work? And if so, how the heck could I make it look like I wasn’t about to stroll down to the beach to spend the day in the sun? (I wish…)
Hm. Lately my company has been cracking down on the dress code policy, and numerous emails have been flying around regarding appropriate summer wear. I recalled something about shorts and length above the knee, but I wasn’t about to kneel on the ground with a tape measure to make sure they weren’t too scandalous. After my crazy homeroom advisor made us do that all the time in high school with our uniform skirts, the thought makes me shudder.
So I deferred to this post on TheWorkingWardrobe.com about how to incorporate shorts into your working wardrobe. It includes some good rules of thumb and even includes a cute example of wear-to-work Bermuda-short style. The key? Closed-toed flats, a tailored top and cute accessories to elevate the look of the shorts. (Be sure to check out the rest of the site while you're at it—it's so helpful!)
To throw in my two cents on the matter, I personally like to live by the good old Balance Rule. As in, if you’re showing off some leg, then maybe show a little less arm. A tank top paired with Bermuda shorts might be a bit too beachy, but a ¾-length top would be the perfect complement to some bright Bermudas.
Luckily for me, I didn’t have to decide. My shorts were a bit too wrinkled and stretched out to wear to the office. No saggy bottom for me, thankyouverymuch.
So what do you Working Girls think? Are shorts appropriate for the workplace? And do you have any good rules of thumb for wearing them? Or any general wardrobe rules you like to follow? Let’s hear them!
Showing posts with label Advertising Working Girl. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Advertising Working Girl. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Tattle Tales
You’ll have to forgive my lack of personal posts lately. You see, work has been ridiculously stressful for the past couple of months. After running around like a mad woman all day, the last thing I want to do when I get home is sit down and write about work. I’d rather not relive the last 10 hours of madness, thankyouverymuch. My coworker once told me that summer is the craziest time of the year. She wasn’t kidding.On top of all the craziness, we had our quarterly reviews last week. It was a time in which we got to “informally” sit down with our boss and have an open conversation about strengths, opportunities for growth (AKA weaknesses), etc. I spent a good chunk of time preparing for it so I could be on my toes in front of my boss, and I came to the meeting with a clear picture of what I felt my strengths were and what I could definitely work on.
So imagine my surprise when my boss chimed in about my weaknesses, not only agreeing with the ones I had, but adding to them and citing specific examples I didn’t even know she knew about. As in, things I had talked to my coworkers about. And small little hiccups I has encountered during my first 6 months on the job. And things that were overheard one afternoon. And a reaction I had in a meeting two months ago. And a flustered tone of voice I used once. I mean, really?!
I’ll be honest, I was a bit hurt because I could pinpoint exactly who said what. It was like they told on me. Who does that?! One example was when I vented a small frustration to my closest coworker. It blew over 10 seconds later, but somehow my boss knew about it and questioned me on it. Really?!
As the list of seemingly insignificant incidences continued to grow, I became more and more discouraged. I thought I was getting along great with my coworkers, but now it seems like they take everything I say and do and tattle on me. I understand that my boss might ask them how they think I’m doing, but it seems a bit excessive to be that detailed. Maybe I’m the crazy one here, but when I get time to sit down with my boss, I would never think to talk about my coworkers, especially in a negative sense. No way. One-on-one time is precious, so I use it to talk about my work, my goals, upcoming projects, etc. Silly me.
I understand that it was a review and was meant to provide me with opportunities to improve my performance. I get that. But honestly, it left a bad taste in my mouth. Now I feel like I have to watch everything I say and do with everyone I work with. I feel like I can’t vent or swap war stories anymore because I’m sure they’ll just turn around and tell on me. I have a complete lack of trust in my coworkers now, and it’s making me feel tense every time I’m with them. It’s like walking on eggshells all day long.
So, Working Girls, what do you think? Have you ever been in this situation? Should I talk to my coworkers about it? Or should I just try to keep my distance from now on?
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
The TV Super Mom vs. The TV Anti-Mom
You wake up at a ridiculously early hour and pop right out of bed, fully awake. You get ready, get your kids ready for school, and then make breakfast for the whole family. Once you send everyone off with perfect little lunches, you head to work. You win a few cases, cure a few patients or cover a few award-winning news stories. You pretty much save the world. Then you go home, cook a meal fit for Food Network, spend some time with your family, and teach a few valuable life lessons along the way. Then, after reading a few pages of a book and kissing your darling husband goodnight, you go to bed, not at all tired considering everything you’ve tackled that day.
Piece of cake, right? Well, if you were a working mom on a TV sitcom in the 80's and 90's, it was that easy. Case in point: Clair Huxtable. She was a high-powered lawyer, married to a well-loved doctor, raised 5 happy, healthy kids, and always had things under control. She never really even got mad, for goodness sake. She just spoke calmly and evenly, and won every argument without raising her voice. Totally realistic, right?
And she’s not the only Super Mom we grew up with on TV. What about Maggie Seaver? Loving mom to Carol, Mike, Ben, sometimes Luke (the young Leo, hot stuff) and later Chrissy. The youngest Seaver child just popped out one day halfway through the series, magically grew up overnight, and poof! everything was back to normal. Maggie had a happy family, blossoming career and no real drama.
If you look back, those awesomely 80's shows we all know and love were riddled with Super Moms (and Dads—I’m looking at you, Danny Tanner) who could juggle careers, family, chores and big life lessons without even batting an eye. Sure, it’s a nice idea, but is it realistic? Not really. At least not now. So it’s no wonder that the days of these miraculous mothers are long gone.
And that’s exactly the point of The Hollywood Reporter’s recent article “The Rise of TV’s Anti-Mom”. Today’s TV moms are as real as it gets. Tired, struggling, neurotic, depressed, anxious, obsessive. Sure, they’re not pretty traits on paper, but they’re real and much easier to relate to. And in today’s society, that’s what counts. Working moms, and heck, even stay-at-home moms, don’t always have it all together, especially these days. TV is a reflection of our culture, so it’s only natural that TV moms feel the real pressures and stresses that real women face every single day.
Women no longer want to look up to fictional moms who do everything perfectly, setting up an image that’s impossible to achieve. They want to see characters who have faults, fears and pressures, just like them. For example, remember when Pam (Beasley) Halpert was so exhausted from late nights with baby CeCe that she fell asleep at her desk? Haven’t we all been there before?
Or what about Claire Dunphy who, despite being a stay-at-home mom, has her hands full all the time with her family's high jinks and hilarity. Remember when she tried to show off her fabulous mustache-wearing husband and Jager-covered kids to impress her old coworker? Or when she fell asleep instead of getting Phil his iPad? Or what about the romantic Valentine's Day role-playing game that went horribly and embarrassingly wrong? The list goes on and on, and honestly it makes me laugh even thinking about them. But they're real-life situations and real-life feelings that today’s women can identify with, and that’s what makes for good TV.
So what do you think, Working Girls? Do you miss the days of 80's and 90's Super Moms? Or do you appreciate today’s real-life Anti-Moms? Do you think today's shows portray women in a negative light? Was it okay for woman to try to be perfect and have it all, like Clair Huxtable and Maggie Seaver? Let’s hear what you think!
Piece of cake, right? Well, if you were a working mom on a TV sitcom in the 80's and 90's, it was that easy. Case in point: Clair Huxtable. She was a high-powered lawyer, married to a well-loved doctor, raised 5 happy, healthy kids, and always had things under control. She never really even got mad, for goodness sake. She just spoke calmly and evenly, and won every argument without raising her voice. Totally realistic, right?
And she’s not the only Super Mom we grew up with on TV. What about Maggie Seaver? Loving mom to Carol, Mike, Ben, sometimes Luke (the young Leo, hot stuff) and later Chrissy. The youngest Seaver child just popped out one day halfway through the series, magically grew up overnight, and poof! everything was back to normal. Maggie had a happy family, blossoming career and no real drama.
If you look back, those awesomely 80's shows we all know and love were riddled with Super Moms (and Dads—I’m looking at you, Danny Tanner) who could juggle careers, family, chores and big life lessons without even batting an eye. Sure, it’s a nice idea, but is it realistic? Not really. At least not now. So it’s no wonder that the days of these miraculous mothers are long gone.
And that’s exactly the point of The Hollywood Reporter’s recent article “The Rise of TV’s Anti-Mom”. Today’s TV moms are as real as it gets. Tired, struggling, neurotic, depressed, anxious, obsessive. Sure, they’re not pretty traits on paper, but they’re real and much easier to relate to. And in today’s society, that’s what counts. Working moms, and heck, even stay-at-home moms, don’t always have it all together, especially these days. TV is a reflection of our culture, so it’s only natural that TV moms feel the real pressures and stresses that real women face every single day.
Women no longer want to look up to fictional moms who do everything perfectly, setting up an image that’s impossible to achieve. They want to see characters who have faults, fears and pressures, just like them. For example, remember when Pam (Beasley) Halpert was so exhausted from late nights with baby CeCe that she fell asleep at her desk? Haven’t we all been there before?
Or what about Claire Dunphy who, despite being a stay-at-home mom, has her hands full all the time with her family's high jinks and hilarity. Remember when she tried to show off her fabulous mustache-wearing husband and Jager-covered kids to impress her old coworker? Or when she fell asleep instead of getting Phil his iPad? Or what about the romantic Valentine's Day role-playing game that went horribly and embarrassingly wrong? The list goes on and on, and honestly it makes me laugh even thinking about them. But they're real-life situations and real-life feelings that today’s women can identify with, and that’s what makes for good TV.
So what do you think, Working Girls? Do you miss the days of 80's and 90's Super Moms? Or do you appreciate today’s real-life Anti-Moms? Do you think today's shows portray women in a negative light? Was it okay for woman to try to be perfect and have it all, like Clair Huxtable and Maggie Seaver? Let’s hear what you think!
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Once upon a time, the world's richest man was a vampire with sparkly skin
Today I was perusing through Forbes.com when I discovered a hidden gem. Tucked away among serious business stories about plummeting stocks and lingering unemployment, I discovered this. Quite possibly the best real fake news article ever written.
Yes, it was published way back in April, but that doesn’t make it any less awesome. Yes, awesome. Just knowing that some of the people over at Forbes don’t take themselves too seriously makes me smile. The fact that someone (Michael Noer, I salute you) took the time to crunch fake numbers and do a detailed background check on fictional characters is pretty fantastic. Even better, they come out with a new list every year. I wish all companies could be that cool.
I now present to you The Forbes Fictional Fifteen (with a few of my favorite excerpts from the slideshow copy). Happy reading!
1. Carlisle Cullen—Net worth: $34.1 billion.
Best line: “Made shrewd long-term investments in steel, gold, oil, thanks to prescience of daughter turned financial advisor Alice; saw recessions coming, invested early in Wal-Mart. Earned doctor's salary for 340 years without paying for groceries, health care expenses.”
2. Scrooge McDuck—Net worth: $33.5 billion.
Best line: “Gains were crimped because of money spent having adventures with three nephews and bumbling personal pilot.”
3. Richie Rich—Net worth: $11.5 billion.
Best line: "The boy once known for his extravagant parties (hot dogs sprinkled with gold dust, lemonade cooled with chunks of arctic ice cap) has been missing from Richville social scene since June: reportedly still mourning death of close friend and "spiritual advisor" Michael Jackson."
4. Tony Stark—Net worth: $8.8 billion
5. Jed Clampett—Net worth: $7.2 billion
6. Adrian Veidt “Ozymandias”—Net worth: $7 billion
7. Bruce Wayne—Net worth: $6.5 billion
8. The Tooth Fairy—Net worth: $3.9 billion
10. Sir Topham Hatt (Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends)—Net worth: $2 billion
11. Artemis Fowl II—Net worth: $1.9 billion
12. C. Montgomery Burns (The Simpsons)—Net worth: $1.3 million
Best line: “Hobbies include taunting immigrant laborers, stealing candy from babies, making fur clothing out of puppies.”
13. Charles “Chuck” Bartholomew Bass (oh yeah, he’s Chuck Bass)—Net worth: $1.1 billion
Best line: “Obtained trademark on phrase "I'm Chuck Bass." Daytime wardrobe embraces three P's--purple, plaid and preppy. For night, three V's--vests, velvet and Valentino.”
14. Jay Gatsby—$1 billion
15. Lucille Bluth (Arrested Development)—$950 million
Best line: “Said to have squirreled away millions in Swiss bank accounts and inside the walls of family run frozen banana stand.”
And they all lived happily ever after. With their billions. And now the Duck Tales theme song is in my head (Ducktales, woo hoo).
Yes, it was published way back in April, but that doesn’t make it any less awesome. Yes, awesome. Just knowing that some of the people over at Forbes don’t take themselves too seriously makes me smile. The fact that someone (Michael Noer, I salute you) took the time to crunch fake numbers and do a detailed background check on fictional characters is pretty fantastic. Even better, they come out with a new list every year. I wish all companies could be that cool.
I now present to you The Forbes Fictional Fifteen (with a few of my favorite excerpts from the slideshow copy). Happy reading!
1. Carlisle Cullen—Net worth: $34.1 billion.
Best line: “Made shrewd long-term investments in steel, gold, oil, thanks to prescience of daughter turned financial advisor Alice; saw recessions coming, invested early in Wal-Mart. Earned doctor's salary for 340 years without paying for groceries, health care expenses.”
2. Scrooge McDuck—Net worth: $33.5 billion.
Best line: “Gains were crimped because of money spent having adventures with three nephews and bumbling personal pilot.”
3. Richie Rich—Net worth: $11.5 billion.
Best line: "The boy once known for his extravagant parties (hot dogs sprinkled with gold dust, lemonade cooled with chunks of arctic ice cap) has been missing from Richville social scene since June: reportedly still mourning death of close friend and "spiritual advisor" Michael Jackson."
4. Tony Stark—Net worth: $8.8 billion
5. Jed Clampett—Net worth: $7.2 billion
6. Adrian Veidt “Ozymandias”—Net worth: $7 billion
7. Bruce Wayne—Net worth: $6.5 billion
8. The Tooth Fairy—Net worth: $3.9 billion
Best line: “Rumored to sell baby teeth to gray-market Chinese labs researching human cloning; other theories hold teeth are an ingredient in Colonel Sander's secret Kentucky Fried Chicken recipe.”
9. Thurston Howell III (Gilligan’s Island)—Net worth: $2.1 billion
9. Thurston Howell III (Gilligan’s Island)—Net worth: $2.1 billion
10. Sir Topham Hatt (Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends)—Net worth: $2 billion
11. Artemis Fowl II—Net worth: $1.9 billion
12. C. Montgomery Burns (The Simpsons)—Net worth: $1.3 million
Best line: “Hobbies include taunting immigrant laborers, stealing candy from babies, making fur clothing out of puppies.”
13. Charles “Chuck” Bartholomew Bass (oh yeah, he’s Chuck Bass)—Net worth: $1.1 billion
Best line: “Obtained trademark on phrase "I'm Chuck Bass." Daytime wardrobe embraces three P's--purple, plaid and preppy. For night, three V's--vests, velvet and Valentino.”
14. Jay Gatsby—$1 billion
15. Lucille Bluth (Arrested Development)—$950 million
Best line: “Said to have squirreled away millions in Swiss bank accounts and inside the walls of family run frozen banana stand.”
And they all lived happily ever after. With their billions. And now the Duck Tales theme song is in my head (Ducktales, woo hoo).
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Retirement Plans
Yesterday the entertainment world was all abuzz when Amanda Bynes announced on Twitter that she’s retiring from the world of acting at the ripe old age of 24*.
24! Can you imagine? I honestly wonder what she’s going to do with the rest of her life. I applaud her for having the courage to admit that she’s unhappy with acting before she goes all crazy like Lindsey Lohan and ruins her reputation. I’d much rather remember her fondly as the cool girl from All That and the girl I wished I could be in What A Girl Wants (Confession: I still love that movie).
Somehow I just can’t picture her spending her working years as an accountant in Cubicle Land, USA. My guess is that she’ll end up writing/directing/producing somewhere down the road. Isn’t that what all retired actors do? And if she hasn’t wasted her money on drugs, crazy cars or houses that deserve their own zip codes, she probably has quite the little fortune for herself. All at the age of 24. Lucky duck.
So it got me thinking. If I had enough money to retire right now, what would I want to do with the rest of my life? I think I’d be bored to death if I didn’t have something to work toward every day. I would definitely feel useless, that’s for sure. So naturally, I’d have to figure out something to do with all my time (and money):
• Write a book, definitely in the chick lit genre (my guilty pleasure)
• Travel the world and write travel books for twenty-somethings
• Spend a significant amount of time volunteering abroad, starting in Tanzania
• Learn to play the violin, piano, flute, ukulele, guitar, harp, xylophone, etc
• Go back to school to learn everything. Yes, everything.
• Become a meteorologist. You know, just for fun.
What would you do?
*Sidenote: All her retirement tweets were posted between 4am – 6am. Hm. Do I smell an alcohol-induced publicity stunt?
24! Can you imagine? I honestly wonder what she’s going to do with the rest of her life. I applaud her for having the courage to admit that she’s unhappy with acting before she goes all crazy like Lindsey Lohan and ruins her reputation. I’d much rather remember her fondly as the cool girl from All That and the girl I wished I could be in What A Girl Wants (Confession: I still love that movie).
Somehow I just can’t picture her spending her working years as an accountant in Cubicle Land, USA. My guess is that she’ll end up writing/directing/producing somewhere down the road. Isn’t that what all retired actors do? And if she hasn’t wasted her money on drugs, crazy cars or houses that deserve their own zip codes, she probably has quite the little fortune for herself. All at the age of 24. Lucky duck.
So it got me thinking. If I had enough money to retire right now, what would I want to do with the rest of my life? I think I’d be bored to death if I didn’t have something to work toward every day. I would definitely feel useless, that’s for sure. So naturally, I’d have to figure out something to do with all my time (and money):
• Write a book, definitely in the chick lit genre (my guilty pleasure)
• Travel the world and write travel books for twenty-somethings
• Spend a significant amount of time volunteering abroad, starting in Tanzania
• Learn to play the violin, piano, flute, ukulele, guitar, harp, xylophone, etc
• Go back to school to learn everything. Yes, everything.
• Become a meteorologist. You know, just for fun.
What would you do?
*Sidenote: All her retirement tweets were posted between 4am – 6am. Hm. Do I smell an alcohol-induced publicity stunt?
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
The 6-month mark. And swimming.
I’ve officially been at my new job for 6 months. Apparently that’s how long it takes to settle in. And what a strange, stressful, nerve-wracking journey it’s been. Full of highs, lows, “wtf?” moments, small victories, minor setbacks and a few tears along the way. To me, the first 6 months are the hardest part of getting a new job. Sure, the job search and interview process can be absolutely grueling, but you make it through. When you finally get the job, you feel elated. This is your chance for a new start. And then BAM! it’s your first day and it’s freshman year of high school all over again. You’re thrown into a massive pool of newness. And you better be able to deal with how to survive and thrive while dealing with things like cliques, cafeterias, lingo and new expectations.
It’s up to you to learn how to swim. Because honestly, starting a new job is like learning how to swim all over again. Allow me to explain:
Months 1-2
You’re thrown headfirst into the deep end of the pool. Yes, you are given the necessary training and you already (hopefully) have the knowledge you need, but quite quickly you feel like you’re drowning. After all, you’ve never been taught how to swim in this pool. There are so many new rules, new strokes and new philosophies on how to be successful in the water. For the first few weeks, you kick and thrash about, struggling to remember how to swim. Your knowledge seems to have gone on a brief sabbatical, allowing stress to set in. You might even find yourself wondering why the heck you wanted to be in this pool in the first place. But luckily, you eventually realize you can tread water. Sure, it’s tiring, but it’s definitely doable. And not long after, you remember how to dog paddle. You keep your head above water. Now you’re getting somewhere.
Months 3-4
Hey, look! You can touch! Only with your tippy toes at first, but you soon find firm footing. Now have more control over your time in the pool. You decide when to float, swim and tread. Naturally, you’ll come across a few slippery spots and the occasional “cannonball” from a less-than-compassionate coworker, but that’s to be expected. Soon dog paddling gives way to cleaner, more confident strokes as you navigate your way through the water. You might not be as strong as you once were, but you’re getting there. And with each passing week, you feel a little bit better.
Months 5-6
Congratulations. You can swim! Perhaps not particularly well just yet, but you’re figuring it out as you go. Sure, you might still scrape your toe on the side of the pool or get water in your ears, but you have the hang of it. And good news! People aren’t as wary of your swimming skills as they once were. They’re starting to swim a little closer, invite you to have underwater tea parties (remember those?!) and maybe even challenge you to a handstand contest. By the end of the 6th month, you’re back on top. You remember why you chose this pool and you feel confident in your skills and your decision. It feels good to swim again.
So what do you think about the first 6 months of a job? Did it take you a full 6 months to catch on, like it did with me? Or were you an Olympic-style Working Girl, able to dive right in and set a world-record pace? Let’s hear it!
It’s up to you to learn how to swim. Because honestly, starting a new job is like learning how to swim all over again. Allow me to explain:
Months 1-2
You’re thrown headfirst into the deep end of the pool. Yes, you are given the necessary training and you already (hopefully) have the knowledge you need, but quite quickly you feel like you’re drowning. After all, you’ve never been taught how to swim in this pool. There are so many new rules, new strokes and new philosophies on how to be successful in the water. For the first few weeks, you kick and thrash about, struggling to remember how to swim. Your knowledge seems to have gone on a brief sabbatical, allowing stress to set in. You might even find yourself wondering why the heck you wanted to be in this pool in the first place. But luckily, you eventually realize you can tread water. Sure, it’s tiring, but it’s definitely doable. And not long after, you remember how to dog paddle. You keep your head above water. Now you’re getting somewhere.
Months 3-4
Hey, look! You can touch! Only with your tippy toes at first, but you soon find firm footing. Now have more control over your time in the pool. You decide when to float, swim and tread. Naturally, you’ll come across a few slippery spots and the occasional “cannonball” from a less-than-compassionate coworker, but that’s to be expected. Soon dog paddling gives way to cleaner, more confident strokes as you navigate your way through the water. You might not be as strong as you once were, but you’re getting there. And with each passing week, you feel a little bit better.
Months 5-6
Congratulations. You can swim! Perhaps not particularly well just yet, but you’re figuring it out as you go. Sure, you might still scrape your toe on the side of the pool or get water in your ears, but you have the hang of it. And good news! People aren’t as wary of your swimming skills as they once were. They’re starting to swim a little closer, invite you to have underwater tea parties (remember those?!) and maybe even challenge you to a handstand contest. By the end of the 6th month, you’re back on top. You remember why you chose this pool and you feel confident in your skills and your decision. It feels good to swim again.
So what do you think about the first 6 months of a job? Did it take you a full 6 months to catch on, like it did with me? Or were you an Olympic-style Working Girl, able to dive right in and set a world-record pace? Let’s hear it!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
The Great Debate: Male vs. Female Bosses
In a recent Forbes article entitled “Do Employees Prefer Male or Female Bosses?” Forbes conducted a survey through Facebook to see if people tended to favor one sex over the other when it came to their higher-ups. Surprisingly, the results show employees overwhelmingly favor male bosses. Naturally, some of that may be rooted in gender stereotypes—men are viewed as confident and strong, while women are seen as emotional and “nice”.
The article goes on to explain that as a result of gender stereotypes, women in managerial roles often take on typical male characteristics. They become more assertive and aggressive. The result? They're viewed negatively. They can come across as power hungry, cold and even a little bitchy. It doesn't mean they are worse bosses than men. Not at all. But unfortunately for them, that’s how they’re often perceived.
Throughout my career, and random high school and college jobs, I’ve had both male and female bosses. I’ve had the good, the bad, the distant, the sarcastic and the somewhat crazy. And to be completely honest, I prefer working for a male boss. I know, I know. As a strong, savvy Working Girl that’s quite shameful…but it’s true.
Before you hunt me down and threaten to throw rocks at me and my outdated, anti-feminist mindset, please let me explain. Here’s the thing: Women are emotional beings. Yes, it's a stereotype, but I find it to be true. And I just happen to be extra emotional. I’m very sensitive to other people’s moods. If they’re stressed, I get stressed. If they’re mad, I get mad. So in my experience, I’ve worked for women who often times were riding on roller coasters of emotions–AKA mood swings—and it made it very difficult to keep up. Don't get me wrong—they were great people. But they’d be nice one minute, frustrated the next, and stressed out before you could blink an eye. I could never tell if what I was doing was good, bad or just plain unimportant. It made my jobs extra stressful on a daily basis.
I’ve found that because male bosses don’t let their emotions gets in the way, they have an easier time maintaining their authority. Sure, there are pros and cons for both male and female bosses, but for me personally, I appreciate not getting swept up in any emotional distress.
What do you think, Working Girls? Do you prefer a female boss over a male boss? Do you notice females taking on male characteristics to appear “tougher” in the workplace? Do you think my opinion is just plain crazy? Please comment and let me know what you think!
The article goes on to explain that as a result of gender stereotypes, women in managerial roles often take on typical male characteristics. They become more assertive and aggressive. The result? They're viewed negatively. They can come across as power hungry, cold and even a little bitchy. It doesn't mean they are worse bosses than men. Not at all. But unfortunately for them, that’s how they’re often perceived.
Throughout my career, and random high school and college jobs, I’ve had both male and female bosses. I’ve had the good, the bad, the distant, the sarcastic and the somewhat crazy. And to be completely honest, I prefer working for a male boss. I know, I know. As a strong, savvy Working Girl that’s quite shameful…but it’s true.
Before you hunt me down and threaten to throw rocks at me and my outdated, anti-feminist mindset, please let me explain. Here’s the thing: Women are emotional beings. Yes, it's a stereotype, but I find it to be true. And I just happen to be extra emotional. I’m very sensitive to other people’s moods. If they’re stressed, I get stressed. If they’re mad, I get mad. So in my experience, I’ve worked for women who often times were riding on roller coasters of emotions–AKA mood swings—and it made it very difficult to keep up. Don't get me wrong—they were great people. But they’d be nice one minute, frustrated the next, and stressed out before you could blink an eye. I could never tell if what I was doing was good, bad or just plain unimportant. It made my jobs extra stressful on a daily basis.
I’ve found that because male bosses don’t let their emotions gets in the way, they have an easier time maintaining their authority. Sure, there are pros and cons for both male and female bosses, but for me personally, I appreciate not getting swept up in any emotional distress.
What do you think, Working Girls? Do you prefer a female boss over a male boss? Do you notice females taking on male characteristics to appear “tougher” in the workplace? Do you think my opinion is just plain crazy? Please comment and let me know what you think!
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Getting handy with the head honchos
One of the things I love about my new company is how committed everyone is to volunteering in the community. Throughout the month of April and a wee bit of May, my company held special service days in neighboring towns, giving all 4,000+ of us an opportunity to get out there and lend a helping hand.
I was eager to volunteer, and as a still relatively unknown newbie, I was hoping it would give me a good chance to bond with my coworkers (who have proven to be very difficult to click with—more on that another day). After a slight rain delay, my service day rolled around and I arrived at the site, an urban park, excited to dig right in and start helping out.
So little old me strolled right up to a group of people who looked like they knew what they were doing and asked how I could help. And before I knew it, I was handed a pretty gigantic shovel and was told to start digging up weeds in front of the park’s clubhouse. Sure, it sounded easy enough. My thumbs definitely aren't green—more like slightly yellow from excessive highlighter and Sharpie use—but I decided I’d figure out my weeding duties along the way. Until I saw who my weeding “buddy” was. The Executive Vice President/Chief Marketing Officer of my company. Needless to say, she’s a BIG deal (she's been on The Today Show, for goodness' sake!). And us little people rarely ever see her.
As I tried to get over my initial shock, I focused on digging the crap out of all of the dandelions in sight. We made brief small talk, but inside my head a battle was raging between the shy girl I usually am and the ballsy girl who only comes out after a cocktail or two. Before I knew what I was doing, I stopped digging, looked straight at her and said, “I just have to introduce myself, since we’re working together. My name is Advertising Working Girl.” Only it didn’t sound that smooth. Her reaction? She laughed! After one mortifying second, she introduced herself and mentioned that she knew I was new at the company. We ended up talking all about my work experiences, life in my new city, my engagement, and all of our summer plans. At the end of the day, my coworkers started referring to me as her new best friend. I was so proud of myself for introducing myself and not letting my nerves get in the way, like they usually do.
As if that wasn’t enough, the day ended with a site picture for the company website. As we all huddled together, I quickly squeezed in on one side—right between my new best friend, the EVP/CMO, and the CEO/Preseident of the entire company. How funny is that? I stood there grinning proudly as I soaked up all the power around me. And now that picture is up at work for all to see. I love it.
But all my pride and elbow-rubbing aside, I thought it was so cool that all the top people in my company were out there digging up weeds with the rest of us. They all worked so hard to make sure that park was spotless for the kids in the community. To me, that’s a sign of great leadership. The whole event not only inspired me to do more service, but really made me appreciate my new company. Moral of the story: If you work for a big company (or any company really) and get a chance to garden/cook/clean/chat with a head honcho, swallow your nerves and just go for it! What do you have to lose?
Oh, and I ran into my new best friend in the ladies room a couple week ago, and she totally remembered me. Bonus!
I was eager to volunteer, and as a still relatively unknown newbie, I was hoping it would give me a good chance to bond with my coworkers (who have proven to be very difficult to click with—more on that another day). After a slight rain delay, my service day rolled around and I arrived at the site, an urban park, excited to dig right in and start helping out.
So little old me strolled right up to a group of people who looked like they knew what they were doing and asked how I could help. And before I knew it, I was handed a pretty gigantic shovel and was told to start digging up weeds in front of the park’s clubhouse. Sure, it sounded easy enough. My thumbs definitely aren't green—more like slightly yellow from excessive highlighter and Sharpie use—but I decided I’d figure out my weeding duties along the way. Until I saw who my weeding “buddy” was. The Executive Vice President/Chief Marketing Officer of my company. Needless to say, she’s a BIG deal (she's been on The Today Show, for goodness' sake!). And us little people rarely ever see her.
As I tried to get over my initial shock, I focused on digging the crap out of all of the dandelions in sight. We made brief small talk, but inside my head a battle was raging between the shy girl I usually am and the ballsy girl who only comes out after a cocktail or two. Before I knew what I was doing, I stopped digging, looked straight at her and said, “I just have to introduce myself, since we’re working together. My name is Advertising Working Girl.” Only it didn’t sound that smooth. Her reaction? She laughed! After one mortifying second, she introduced herself and mentioned that she knew I was new at the company. We ended up talking all about my work experiences, life in my new city, my engagement, and all of our summer plans. At the end of the day, my coworkers started referring to me as her new best friend. I was so proud of myself for introducing myself and not letting my nerves get in the way, like they usually do.
As if that wasn’t enough, the day ended with a site picture for the company website. As we all huddled together, I quickly squeezed in on one side—right between my new best friend, the EVP/CMO, and the CEO/Preseident of the entire company. How funny is that? I stood there grinning proudly as I soaked up all the power around me. And now that picture is up at work for all to see. I love it.
But all my pride and elbow-rubbing aside, I thought it was so cool that all the top people in my company were out there digging up weeds with the rest of us. They all worked so hard to make sure that park was spotless for the kids in the community. To me, that’s a sign of great leadership. The whole event not only inspired me to do more service, but really made me appreciate my new company. Moral of the story: If you work for a big company (or any company really) and get a chance to garden/cook/clean/chat with a head honcho, swallow your nerves and just go for it! What do you have to lose?
Oh, and I ran into my new best friend in the ladies room a couple week ago, and she totally remembered me. Bonus!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
I want to be as cool as THAT guy
Over the past few months, I haven’t talked much about what I actually do at work. Basically, I write copy. Yes, as a copywriter, I write copy. Shocking, isn’t it? But it’s definitely not as easy as it sounds. There’s so much strategy, thinking, brainstorming, planning, concepting and fact checking that goes into ever single tiny idea that’s created. When you take everything into account, it’s a pretty involved process, especially when the client steps in and decides to take a new direction or (GASP!) rewrite the copy themselves. That, my friends, is the absolute worst.
Copy usually goes through many rounds of reviews and revisions with a million different people. With so many cooks in the kitchen, it’s easy to see why there’s so much bad copy out there. I’m looking at you, Folger’s Christmas commercial. Remember that one? With the brother coming home from Africa to surprise his family for Christmas? If not, this should jog your memory. The copy was so poorly written that it just ended up coming off as creepy, not sentimental. Instead of being cute, it seemed to me like the brother and sister had a different kind of relationship, if you know what I mean.
But then there’s the copy that makes me proud of my profession. Once in awhile I’ll stumble upon a really great print ad, a hilarious commercial or another copywriter’s portfolio and it reminds me why I wanted to be a copywriter in the first place.
Yesterday, as I was leafing through an old copy of People magazine (hey, it was a slow afternoon), I stumbled upon an article about people going to extremes to get a job. The first part was about a highly imaginative copywriter named Lawson Clarke. He created the website entitled Male Copywriter to show off his…assets. (NOTE: Probably not suitable for work) I was so intrigued by the write-up that I immediately checked out the site. It’s amazing. Not to mention totally hilarious. The main page sets quite a sassy tone and let me tell you, his body of work does not disappoint. I went from laughing out loud at the copious amounts of hair and one very strategically placed TV, to being completely inspired by this guy’s talent…and his moxie.
So go ahead and check it out when it’s safe. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed. I’m sure you’ve seen some of his work before. Remember those Carnival commercials? I can’t stop looking through his site. And no, it’s not because I’m dazzled by his manly chest hair and sexy little ‘stache. It’s because one day I truly hope to be as cool as that guy.
Copy usually goes through many rounds of reviews and revisions with a million different people. With so many cooks in the kitchen, it’s easy to see why there’s so much bad copy out there. I’m looking at you, Folger’s Christmas commercial. Remember that one? With the brother coming home from Africa to surprise his family for Christmas? If not, this should jog your memory. The copy was so poorly written that it just ended up coming off as creepy, not sentimental. Instead of being cute, it seemed to me like the brother and sister had a different kind of relationship, if you know what I mean.
But then there’s the copy that makes me proud of my profession. Once in awhile I’ll stumble upon a really great print ad, a hilarious commercial or another copywriter’s portfolio and it reminds me why I wanted to be a copywriter in the first place.
Yesterday, as I was leafing through an old copy of People magazine (hey, it was a slow afternoon), I stumbled upon an article about people going to extremes to get a job. The first part was about a highly imaginative copywriter named Lawson Clarke. He created the website entitled Male Copywriter to show off his…assets. (NOTE: Probably not suitable for work) I was so intrigued by the write-up that I immediately checked out the site. It’s amazing. Not to mention totally hilarious. The main page sets quite a sassy tone and let me tell you, his body of work does not disappoint. I went from laughing out loud at the copious amounts of hair and one very strategically placed TV, to being completely inspired by this guy’s talent…and his moxie.
So go ahead and check it out when it’s safe. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed. I’m sure you’ve seen some of his work before. Remember those Carnival commercials? I can’t stop looking through his site. And no, it’s not because I’m dazzled by his manly chest hair and sexy little ‘stache. It’s because one day I truly hope to be as cool as that guy.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Green with summer envy
In a little over year, I'm marrying a teacher. It’s his passion for “changing lives every day” (his wonderful words) that I love so much about him. But it’s also the thing that makes my little green jealousy monster rear its ugly head. Some girls get jealous about flirty girls swooping in and stealing their guy. Not me. I get jealous about his summer vacation.
For the past few weeks, I’ve been hearing all about “the countdown”. If you’re related to a teacher, friends with a teacher, or ever had a teacher, you know exactly what I’m talking about. All you have to do is ask is “how many days?” and they’ll practically scream out the number, unable to control their glee.
That question always leaves me wondering what my countdown is. To my next vacation day? New Year’s Day? The day I retire a million years from now? Which brings me to my biggest gripe about the working world: no end and no new beginning. School was so nice because you started in August, worked hard all year with an end in sight, and if you did a good (or at least adequate) job, you got to advance to a new level. Amazing! The funny thing is that I still think of my life in terms of the school year. I wish the corporate world would follow suit.
I just love hearing my fiancé and his teacher friends make all their grand plans for their long days of freedom. Sunday night cook-outs, Wednesday happy hours, and the absolute worst—fun days at my apartment complex’s pool….while I’m at work! No fair!
It’s times like those I find myself wishing I was a teacher. But then I remember that kids aren’t really my thing. Sure, I wouldn’t have to teach little kids, but I certainly wouldn’t want to put up with the drama that comes with high school students. My fiancé is a high school teacher and after hearing his hilarious stories of tears, angst and hissy fits, it makes me so glad I don’t deal with that on a daily basis.
Teachers work so hard the entire year and they definitely deserve the time off. I just wish corporate America would see how hard everyone works so we could all have summers off, too. Hey, a girl can dream! In the meantime, I’ll just enjoy the few days I do have off and hope that my fiancé might spend part of his long summer days making me delicious dinners to come home to. Yep, I'm still dreaming.
For the past few weeks, I’ve been hearing all about “the countdown”. If you’re related to a teacher, friends with a teacher, or ever had a teacher, you know exactly what I’m talking about. All you have to do is ask is “how many days?” and they’ll practically scream out the number, unable to control their glee.
That question always leaves me wondering what my countdown is. To my next vacation day? New Year’s Day? The day I retire a million years from now? Which brings me to my biggest gripe about the working world: no end and no new beginning. School was so nice because you started in August, worked hard all year with an end in sight, and if you did a good (or at least adequate) job, you got to advance to a new level. Amazing! The funny thing is that I still think of my life in terms of the school year. I wish the corporate world would follow suit.
I just love hearing my fiancé and his teacher friends make all their grand plans for their long days of freedom. Sunday night cook-outs, Wednesday happy hours, and the absolute worst—fun days at my apartment complex’s pool….while I’m at work! No fair!
It’s times like those I find myself wishing I was a teacher. But then I remember that kids aren’t really my thing. Sure, I wouldn’t have to teach little kids, but I certainly wouldn’t want to put up with the drama that comes with high school students. My fiancé is a high school teacher and after hearing his hilarious stories of tears, angst and hissy fits, it makes me so glad I don’t deal with that on a daily basis.
Teachers work so hard the entire year and they definitely deserve the time off. I just wish corporate America would see how hard everyone works so we could all have summers off, too. Hey, a girl can dream! In the meantime, I’ll just enjoy the few days I do have off and hope that my fiancé might spend part of his long summer days making me delicious dinners to come home to. Yep, I'm still dreaming.
P.S. If my fiancé is reading this: Hii! How many days?
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Ode to the Sharpie
Sharpie, oh Sharpie*. Hands down my favorite office supply ever. Sure, Post-Its are a close second, but now that my new job only gives us the dull yellow wannabe Post-Its, I’ve turned my attention to the hottest writing tool on the planet: The Sharpie.
While my office is colorblind when it comes to Post-Its, they certainly have a flair for flamboyance when it comes to all things Sharpie. During my first week, my coworker took me on a field trip to the magical land known as the supply closet. And when she opened the door, I gasped in awe. There, right before me, was an entire industrial-sized cabinet filled with Sharpies in every size, shape and color of the rainbow. I felt like a kid in a candy store. It was an absolute dream.
At the time, I only grabbed a couple of fine point markers. But as the weeks went by, I kept sneaking back and adding to my Sharpie collection. I have oodles and oodles now in every color and I definitely put them to good use. I’m always doodling and switching colors to match my mood (nerd alert!), and I honestly believe they help my creativity. I do my best thinking when I’m drawing bright little palm trees and vivid patterns of polka dots**.
Have you checked out the Sharpie website? As a copywriter and advertising geek, it’s almost as amazing as the pens themselves. Though I have to admit that I’m a little disappointed that they’ve changed their tagline from “Write out loud” to “Uncap what’s inside”. It just doesn’t have the same pizzazz that it used to. Sharpies are loud and colorful and fun, and that’s why I love them.
* Please note that the people at Sharpie have not paid me to write this post, I just believe in them that much. But if they wanted to send some of the wonderful new Sharpie pens I’ve been lusting after my way, I wouldn’t say no. ;)
** Unfortunately it's not working for my writer's block. I’ve been in a bit of work slump and it’s caused me to lose my writing mojo. Bear with me, please, and feel free to share your love of Sharpies or any other exciting office supplies.
While my office is colorblind when it comes to Post-Its, they certainly have a flair for flamboyance when it comes to all things Sharpie. During my first week, my coworker took me on a field trip to the magical land known as the supply closet. And when she opened the door, I gasped in awe. There, right before me, was an entire industrial-sized cabinet filled with Sharpies in every size, shape and color of the rainbow. I felt like a kid in a candy store. It was an absolute dream.
At the time, I only grabbed a couple of fine point markers. But as the weeks went by, I kept sneaking back and adding to my Sharpie collection. I have oodles and oodles now in every color and I definitely put them to good use. I’m always doodling and switching colors to match my mood (nerd alert!), and I honestly believe they help my creativity. I do my best thinking when I’m drawing bright little palm trees and vivid patterns of polka dots**.
Have you checked out the Sharpie website? As a copywriter and advertising geek, it’s almost as amazing as the pens themselves. Though I have to admit that I’m a little disappointed that they’ve changed their tagline from “Write out loud” to “Uncap what’s inside”. It just doesn’t have the same pizzazz that it used to. Sharpies are loud and colorful and fun, and that’s why I love them.
* Please note that the people at Sharpie have not paid me to write this post, I just believe in them that much. But if they wanted to send some of the wonderful new Sharpie pens I’ve been lusting after my way, I wouldn’t say no. ;)
** Unfortunately it's not working for my writer's block. I’ve been in a bit of work slump and it’s caused me to lose my writing mojo. Bear with me, please, and feel free to share your love of Sharpies or any other exciting office supplies.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
The block stops here
Every so often, I get a serious case of writer’s block. Like tonight for example. I think I just stared at the screen for about two hours because I couldn’t think of anything to write. But I suppose I’m pretty used to it, especially being a copywriter. Sometimes when I need a clever headline or a witty quote, my brain freezes up, making it impossible to have a coherent thought. When it comes to that, I have a few things I always do to get myself back on track:
1. Read the thesaurus. I tend to stick to the online versions, but once in a blue moon when I’m really stuck, I pull out the giant thesaurus I have sitting on my desk. I try to make it like a game. How many words can I string together before getting back to the same word. Or I like to see how far I can stray from the original word I looked up. Yeah, I’m a total nerd.
2. Make words lists. Post-Its are pretty much my best friend. One of my college professors once had us do an exercise where we were given a product and then had 5 minutes to write every single word that popped into our head. The goal was to fill as many sheets of paper as possible, so you didn’t have time to dwell on each specific word. And it worked. Everyone in the class ended up with really clever ideas they hadn’t thought of before.
3. Avoid over-thinking. I tend to do it way too often. If you’re too critical of your ideas, it might hinder the creative process. When in doubt, write it out, even if it seems silly. You never know where that thought might lead you. Plus, sometimes it helps to clear your mind of the crazies.
4. If time isn’t an issue, put the project aside and try again later. That’s usually the best time to sneak in a little surf of the Internet. Sometimes catching up on celebrity gossip helps you think, right?
5. Doodle. I personally tend to favor palm trees, flowers and fun geometric patterns showing off all the colors of the Sharpie rainbow. I never quite got over my love of coloring.
But tonight, none of them seemed to work. So I thought I’d cure my writer’s block by just writing about writer’s block. And in the meantime, see how many times I could write the word “write” in a post. Write, write, write!
Do any of you have any cures for writer’s block? If so, go ahead and share with the class. Happy writing everyone!
1. Read the thesaurus. I tend to stick to the online versions, but once in a blue moon when I’m really stuck, I pull out the giant thesaurus I have sitting on my desk. I try to make it like a game. How many words can I string together before getting back to the same word. Or I like to see how far I can stray from the original word I looked up. Yeah, I’m a total nerd.
2. Make words lists. Post-Its are pretty much my best friend. One of my college professors once had us do an exercise where we were given a product and then had 5 minutes to write every single word that popped into our head. The goal was to fill as many sheets of paper as possible, so you didn’t have time to dwell on each specific word. And it worked. Everyone in the class ended up with really clever ideas they hadn’t thought of before.
3. Avoid over-thinking. I tend to do it way too often. If you’re too critical of your ideas, it might hinder the creative process. When in doubt, write it out, even if it seems silly. You never know where that thought might lead you. Plus, sometimes it helps to clear your mind of the crazies.
4. If time isn’t an issue, put the project aside and try again later. That’s usually the best time to sneak in a little surf of the Internet. Sometimes catching up on celebrity gossip helps you think, right?
5. Doodle. I personally tend to favor palm trees, flowers and fun geometric patterns showing off all the colors of the Sharpie rainbow. I never quite got over my love of coloring.
But tonight, none of them seemed to work. So I thought I’d cure my writer’s block by just writing about writer’s block. And in the meantime, see how many times I could write the word “write” in a post. Write, write, write!
Do any of you have any cures for writer’s block? If so, go ahead and share with the class. Happy writing everyone!
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
There's no crying in copywriting!
Confession: I cry. A lot. Every time I get sad, happy, stressed, overwhelmed, frustrated, angry or see that Folger’s commercial with the daughter who just got engaged, my eyes instantly well up.
But when it comes to work, I pride myself in my ability to keep my composure. I have cried exactly 4 times at the office in my career thus far. (Outside the office? That’s a whole different story.) The first time was personal. The second time was over a highly stressful miscommunication, and despite my stress, I managed to let only a couple tears slip out. The third time was when I gave my two weeks notice at my last job. I didn’t even have my words out before I burst into tears in front of my boss, leaving him really uncomfortable and totally freaked out.
Unfortunately, none of those compared to the fourth time. It took place only a few short weeks ago, just as I was reaching the limit of my stress threshold after months of frustration and anxiety over fitting in at my new company. So when my boss asked me to meet with her, I knew I was hovering at the peak of my emotional rollercoaster, only one tiny push away from plummeting over the edge. When she admitted that a bunch of my coworkers had commented on my stress level, I felt the tears well up. As she went on to explain that it was time I started managing my stress better, I burst into tears. But not pretty little graceful tears. It was like Niagara Falls had temporarily relocated to my face. What was worse, I couldn’t catch my breath so I sounded like I was hyperventilating. It was mortifying, and the more embarrassed I got, the more I struggled to breathe.
After a few minutes, I pulled myself together, collected myself in the bathroom, and vowed to never let it happen again. My boss was totally cool about it and felt so bad that she stressed me out even more. But it turns out the breakdown was exactly what I needed. Now that I’m over the emotional part, I’ve been much more focused and organized. And even better, I feel way more comfortable with my boss and coworkers now.
So naturally, after my mini breakdown, I just had to Google the whole crying-at-work topic to make sure I wasn’t the only one to ever well up at work. Thankfully, I’m not. Look what I found…
True Stories of Crying at Work
Check out this great Marie Claire article to commiserate with other Working Girls who’ve fallen victim to emotion. Don’t worry—tears can have a bright side!
The Dos and Don’ts of Crying at Work
Forbes created a straightforward little slideshow about the best way to tackle tears at the office. Remember: Just breathe.
And just to add my two cents, if you notice a coworker who looks like she’s upset, don’t ask her if she’s okay. When I’m upset about something, that question is like the nail in my composure coffin. It’s okay to express concern, but there’s something about asking if I’m okay that sets me off all over again. Or maybe that’s just me…
On a personal note, thanks for all the well wishes and advice and everything! We are both so excited!
But when it comes to work, I pride myself in my ability to keep my composure. I have cried exactly 4 times at the office in my career thus far. (Outside the office? That’s a whole different story.) The first time was personal. The second time was over a highly stressful miscommunication, and despite my stress, I managed to let only a couple tears slip out. The third time was when I gave my two weeks notice at my last job. I didn’t even have my words out before I burst into tears in front of my boss, leaving him really uncomfortable and totally freaked out.
Unfortunately, none of those compared to the fourth time. It took place only a few short weeks ago, just as I was reaching the limit of my stress threshold after months of frustration and anxiety over fitting in at my new company. So when my boss asked me to meet with her, I knew I was hovering at the peak of my emotional rollercoaster, only one tiny push away from plummeting over the edge. When she admitted that a bunch of my coworkers had commented on my stress level, I felt the tears well up. As she went on to explain that it was time I started managing my stress better, I burst into tears. But not pretty little graceful tears. It was like Niagara Falls had temporarily relocated to my face. What was worse, I couldn’t catch my breath so I sounded like I was hyperventilating. It was mortifying, and the more embarrassed I got, the more I struggled to breathe.
After a few minutes, I pulled myself together, collected myself in the bathroom, and vowed to never let it happen again. My boss was totally cool about it and felt so bad that she stressed me out even more. But it turns out the breakdown was exactly what I needed. Now that I’m over the emotional part, I’ve been much more focused and organized. And even better, I feel way more comfortable with my boss and coworkers now.
So naturally, after my mini breakdown, I just had to Google the whole crying-at-work topic to make sure I wasn’t the only one to ever well up at work. Thankfully, I’m not. Look what I found…
True Stories of Crying at Work
Check out this great Marie Claire article to commiserate with other Working Girls who’ve fallen victim to emotion. Don’t worry—tears can have a bright side!
The Dos and Don’ts of Crying at Work
Forbes created a straightforward little slideshow about the best way to tackle tears at the office. Remember: Just breathe.
And just to add my two cents, if you notice a coworker who looks like she’s upset, don’t ask her if she’s okay. When I’m upset about something, that question is like the nail in my composure coffin. It’s okay to express concern, but there’s something about asking if I’m okay that sets me off all over again. Or maybe that’s just me…
On a personal note, thanks for all the well wishes and advice and everything! We are both so excited!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
I want to whisper it from the rooftops!
Well, I’m back. I apologize for being MIA last week, but I have a good reason. I promise. You see, in the last 9 days my life has become a bubbling fountain of excitement, giddy giggles, nonstop smiles, nervous butterflies and a tiny bit of stress. Why is that? Well it could be because I used my first vacation days of 2010. But I have a feeling it’s most likely because I got engaged last weekend.
Ahh! I’ve been dying to shout it from the rooftops! I’ve been living on Cloud 9 for days, which is really fun in theory, but not when work is the busiest it’s ever been and I’ve had to run around like a hyper, confused fly caught in the blinds (you know, when they keep buzzing and fluttering and running into things). Don’t my coworkers know I’m supposed to be floating away in a bubble of bliss right now? Geesh!
Just kidding. I’m not that girl. Well…not on the outside, at least. You see, I still haven’t quite found my niche in the office. At my old job, I had my little group that I shared everything with, but now I only have a few acquaintances. And I really, really don’t want to scare them off with my excessive giddiness. At least not yet.
So now I’m trying to find the balance between being a gleeful bride-to-be and being the still-somewhat-new kid on the cubicle block. I really don’t want to turn my new coworkers off. And I certainly don't want to become that ridiculous wedding-planning girl who has seating charts and swatches and business cards up the wazoo on her desk. I’ve worked with girls like that before and it was not fun to be around. At all.
But last Friday, I realized how easy it was to become one of those girls. I somehow caught myself in a whirlwind of frenzied date-setting, and I had random secretaries, planners and even a priest calling me nonstop. I tried to whisper into my phone, but even that sounded like screaming in my library-like office. I made all my calls super quick, but with a small family emergency thrown in the mix, my phone was ringing off the hook. Within a few minutes, I became the girl I didn’t want to be. And that was only a week into the engagement. Yikes. I’m pretty sure my not-so-nice cubemate is going to tell on me (yeah, he totally would do that. Pfft.).
At least I had my wake-up call early. And please note, it was a slow afternoon. I definitely wouldn’t jeopardize my new job. I’m a sensible girl! But I also know that over the next few months, wedding-related phone calls will be necessary, especially with the long days I’ve been putting in lately. So how do I do it? How can I be discreet at work? And how do I share my excitement without annoying my coworkers? I’m sure many of you have been there before, so I’d love to hear your advice. And for those of you who haven’t, I’m sure you have plenty of stories about wedding-obsessed corporate bridezillas. So let’s hear them!
Ahh! I’ve been dying to shout it from the rooftops! I’ve been living on Cloud 9 for days, which is really fun in theory, but not when work is the busiest it’s ever been and I’ve had to run around like a hyper, confused fly caught in the blinds (you know, when they keep buzzing and fluttering and running into things). Don’t my coworkers know I’m supposed to be floating away in a bubble of bliss right now? Geesh!
Just kidding. I’m not that girl. Well…not on the outside, at least. You see, I still haven’t quite found my niche in the office. At my old job, I had my little group that I shared everything with, but now I only have a few acquaintances. And I really, really don’t want to scare them off with my excessive giddiness. At least not yet.
So now I’m trying to find the balance between being a gleeful bride-to-be and being the still-somewhat-new kid on the cubicle block. I really don’t want to turn my new coworkers off. And I certainly don't want to become that ridiculous wedding-planning girl who has seating charts and swatches and business cards up the wazoo on her desk. I’ve worked with girls like that before and it was not fun to be around. At all.
But last Friday, I realized how easy it was to become one of those girls. I somehow caught myself in a whirlwind of frenzied date-setting, and I had random secretaries, planners and even a priest calling me nonstop. I tried to whisper into my phone, but even that sounded like screaming in my library-like office. I made all my calls super quick, but with a small family emergency thrown in the mix, my phone was ringing off the hook. Within a few minutes, I became the girl I didn’t want to be. And that was only a week into the engagement. Yikes. I’m pretty sure my not-so-nice cubemate is going to tell on me (yeah, he totally would do that. Pfft.).
At least I had my wake-up call early. And please note, it was a slow afternoon. I definitely wouldn’t jeopardize my new job. I’m a sensible girl! But I also know that over the next few months, wedding-related phone calls will be necessary, especially with the long days I’ve been putting in lately. So how do I do it? How can I be discreet at work? And how do I share my excitement without annoying my coworkers? I’m sure many of you have been there before, so I’d love to hear your advice. And for those of you who haven’t, I’m sure you have plenty of stories about wedding-obsessed corporate bridezillas. So let’s hear them!
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Shiny Unhappy People
As my first vacation days of 2010 rapidly approach (T-minus 2 days!), I find myself wishing I could have more. Sure, after this trip I’ll have about 2 weeks left for the year, but that still doesn’t feel like enough. So I was giddy with glee when I discovered that my company allows employees to buy up to 2 extra weeks of vacation a year, especially after reading your comments on my last vacation-day post and hearing how much time off some of you have (lucky, lucky Europeans!).
When I told my Dad about my plan to buy more vacation time, he was surprised. He thought the 3 weeks I started with was already a lot of time off. In fact, he told me that 3 weeks is the most time off he’s ever had throughout his career. 3 weeks! That’s it? It seemed a little sad to me. He deserves more than 3 measly weeks! And when I voiced my opinion, his response shocked me. Sure, he agreed he would have liked more vacation time, but he never expected it. He was happy with the little time he got, especially since all of his coworkers were in the same boat.
I was flabbergasted. I couldn’t even imagine having less than 3 weeks. 4 weeks even seems minimal when you think of how long a year can drag on. I was about ready to get on my little soapbox and start preaching about the problems with the American mindset and how we’re all overworked, etc. But then I stumbled upon the MSN article entitled “Millennials Value Time Off, Money More Than Gen X”, and it got me thinking. A lot.
You see, it’s not just me. Apparently my whole generation is ready to stand on a soapbox and preach about being overworked. For a split second, my mind raced to reform. My fellow Millennials and I could rally together and go all Newsies on corporate America. I’ve always dreamed of breaking out into spontaneous song and dance, so it seemed perfect. But just as the first few bars of “The World Will Know” started playing in my head, reality set in.
This article actually makes me feel pretty bad. And really ungrateful. All of our parents and grandparents worked hard for a living and I doubt they complained as much we do. Would I like more money? Of course! Somewhere in the back of my mind, I expected to be on the fast track to raises and promotions at the very start of my career. But why? How could I just expect that? And why do I always want more time off? Can’t I just be happy with what I have?
I think we could all use a bit of a reality check. And perhaps a healthy dose of appreciation for what we have. What do you all think? Fellow Millennials, do you agree with the article? And for you more experienced Working Girls out there, what are your thoughts about the newest wave of Working Girls? Are we as ungrateful as we sound? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
When I told my Dad about my plan to buy more vacation time, he was surprised. He thought the 3 weeks I started with was already a lot of time off. In fact, he told me that 3 weeks is the most time off he’s ever had throughout his career. 3 weeks! That’s it? It seemed a little sad to me. He deserves more than 3 measly weeks! And when I voiced my opinion, his response shocked me. Sure, he agreed he would have liked more vacation time, but he never expected it. He was happy with the little time he got, especially since all of his coworkers were in the same boat.
I was flabbergasted. I couldn’t even imagine having less than 3 weeks. 4 weeks even seems minimal when you think of how long a year can drag on. I was about ready to get on my little soapbox and start preaching about the problems with the American mindset and how we’re all overworked, etc. But then I stumbled upon the MSN article entitled “Millennials Value Time Off, Money More Than Gen X”, and it got me thinking. A lot.
You see, it’s not just me. Apparently my whole generation is ready to stand on a soapbox and preach about being overworked. For a split second, my mind raced to reform. My fellow Millennials and I could rally together and go all Newsies on corporate America. I’ve always dreamed of breaking out into spontaneous song and dance, so it seemed perfect. But just as the first few bars of “The World Will Know” started playing in my head, reality set in.
This article actually makes me feel pretty bad. And really ungrateful. All of our parents and grandparents worked hard for a living and I doubt they complained as much we do. Would I like more money? Of course! Somewhere in the back of my mind, I expected to be on the fast track to raises and promotions at the very start of my career. But why? How could I just expect that? And why do I always want more time off? Can’t I just be happy with what I have?
I think we could all use a bit of a reality check. And perhaps a healthy dose of appreciation for what we have. What do you all think? Fellow Millennials, do you agree with the article? And for you more experienced Working Girls out there, what are your thoughts about the newest wave of Working Girls? Are we as ungrateful as we sound? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
The Right to Bare Arms: A Snappy Little Spring Wardrobe Forum
Ahhh yes. Spring is in the air. The snow has melted, the weather is warming up, the sun is staying up later, and the feisty little geese are honking like there’s no tomorrow.
As much as I love the season of baby birds and bright blossoms, it seems to present the greatest number of wardrobe challenges. At least that’s how it is here in the Midwest. It’s a bit too chilly for light spring dresses, but it feels wrong to keep wearing dark winter wool. Not to mention the fact that I might blind my coworkers if I show too much skin too early. Right now, I’m about as white as a Cullen (yes, I just watched New Moon…squeal!) and there’s no hope for a tan in sight.
Which is why I’m now turning to you in sort of an unofficial open forum. Since spring work wardrobes are such a fascinating topic (in my opinion at least), let’s open it up for discussion. I present the following questions to you, dear Working Girls, to hear your thoughts/opinions/two cents on the subject.
• When is a suitable time to ditch the tights and start flaunting those fabulous (and oh so white) bare legs?
• When can you roll out the sleeveless dresses out…if ever? The stores seem to show a ton of tank dresses, but are they even office appropriate?
• Spring clothes mean short sleeves are back in business, but if your office is like mine, it’s ALWAYS cold. So naturally, it’s cool to keep a sweater at your desk. But how many times can you re-wear your “desk cardigan” before it gets gross?
• It’s almost time for toes to run amok. When is it okay to unleash the tootsies and celebrate the season of sensational sandals, peep toes and wedges?
Feel free to add your own. I know many of these depend on where you live, but I bet there’s a general rule all of us follow when it comes to busting out the spring clothes. So let's hear it. Happy commenting!
Sidenote: Is it sad that the title of this post amused me to no end? Even more amusing is that I got the idea from an older man who worked at The Hall of Presidents in Disney World. No joke.
As much as I love the season of baby birds and bright blossoms, it seems to present the greatest number of wardrobe challenges. At least that’s how it is here in the Midwest. It’s a bit too chilly for light spring dresses, but it feels wrong to keep wearing dark winter wool. Not to mention the fact that I might blind my coworkers if I show too much skin too early. Right now, I’m about as white as a Cullen (yes, I just watched New Moon…squeal!) and there’s no hope for a tan in sight.
Which is why I’m now turning to you in sort of an unofficial open forum. Since spring work wardrobes are such a fascinating topic (in my opinion at least), let’s open it up for discussion. I present the following questions to you, dear Working Girls, to hear your thoughts/opinions/two cents on the subject.
• When is a suitable time to ditch the tights and start flaunting those fabulous (and oh so white) bare legs?
• When can you roll out the sleeveless dresses out…if ever? The stores seem to show a ton of tank dresses, but are they even office appropriate?
• Spring clothes mean short sleeves are back in business, but if your office is like mine, it’s ALWAYS cold. So naturally, it’s cool to keep a sweater at your desk. But how many times can you re-wear your “desk cardigan” before it gets gross?
• It’s almost time for toes to run amok. When is it okay to unleash the tootsies and celebrate the season of sensational sandals, peep toes and wedges?
Feel free to add your own. I know many of these depend on where you live, but I bet there’s a general rule all of us follow when it comes to busting out the spring clothes. So let's hear it. Happy commenting!
Sidenote: Is it sad that the title of this post amused me to no end? Even more amusing is that I got the idea from an older man who worked at The Hall of Presidents in Disney World. No joke.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
But trust me on the sunscreen…and the proofreading
If I could offer only one tip for the future, proofreading would be it. Actually, I’d say it’s even more important than sunscreen. Follow my logic for a second, will you? Because if you don’t proof your resume, you can’t get a job. And if you can’t get a job, you won’t have any money. If you don’t have money, you can’t buy sunscreen. Makes sense, right?
It completely blows my mind that people don’t spend an adequate amount of time proofreading their resumes. I understand if proofreading isn’t your thing. But that certainly doesn’t mean you can’t ask a friend or family member to look it over. It’s common sense! Or so I thought…
A few months after I started my first job, everyone in my office was gushing about this one copywriter’s portfolio that had arrived in the mail. They built up so much hype around it that I couldn’t wait to see it. But as soon as it landed on my desk, I spotted a small, but still significant, typo sitting pretty on the first page.
So what did I do? I showed it to my boss, who immediately threw the book in the trash. Am I a jerk? Maybe. But copywriting is a competitive field and honestly, proofreading is about 85% of what we do. If you can’t even proof your own resume, you might want to rethink you career (which is exactly what my boss said in response.) But hey, I’m not a complete jerk—I anonymously e-mailed the poor guy to tell him about the error, and he really appreciated it.
A few months ago, a friend sent me a resume from one of her other friends to give my boss. He wanted to be a copywriter, too. Of course I was curious, so I started reading through his resume. Not only was it riddled with grammatical errors and a very blatant spelling error, but he also included completely irrelevant work experience, like his stints as a dog walker and sailing assistant…at the very top! I was flabbergasted.
Moral of the story: Proof your resume! And definitely make sure it includes only relevant information. In the meantime, go ahead and have a good laugh at the expense of some very amusing resume mishaps:
Resumania—Explore oodles of excerpts from real resumes. Be sure to read the talk bubbles filled with snappy little comments.
150 Funniest Resume Mistakes, Bloopers and Blunders Ever—A compilation of the best resume quotes from a variety of career websites. Some might make you wince, but most will make you laugh. One of my favorites is that someone listed “stalking, shipping and receiving” under work experience. A professional stalker? Heck yes. He’s hired!
So have you guys ever come across a terrible typo on a resume? Or a mention of completely irrelevant information that made everyone in your office laugh? Go ahead and share your stories!
It completely blows my mind that people don’t spend an adequate amount of time proofreading their resumes. I understand if proofreading isn’t your thing. But that certainly doesn’t mean you can’t ask a friend or family member to look it over. It’s common sense! Or so I thought…
A few months after I started my first job, everyone in my office was gushing about this one copywriter’s portfolio that had arrived in the mail. They built up so much hype around it that I couldn’t wait to see it. But as soon as it landed on my desk, I spotted a small, but still significant, typo sitting pretty on the first page.
So what did I do? I showed it to my boss, who immediately threw the book in the trash. Am I a jerk? Maybe. But copywriting is a competitive field and honestly, proofreading is about 85% of what we do. If you can’t even proof your own resume, you might want to rethink you career (which is exactly what my boss said in response.) But hey, I’m not a complete jerk—I anonymously e-mailed the poor guy to tell him about the error, and he really appreciated it.
A few months ago, a friend sent me a resume from one of her other friends to give my boss. He wanted to be a copywriter, too. Of course I was curious, so I started reading through his resume. Not only was it riddled with grammatical errors and a very blatant spelling error, but he also included completely irrelevant work experience, like his stints as a dog walker and sailing assistant…at the very top! I was flabbergasted.
Moral of the story: Proof your resume! And definitely make sure it includes only relevant information. In the meantime, go ahead and have a good laugh at the expense of some very amusing resume mishaps:
Resumania—Explore oodles of excerpts from real resumes. Be sure to read the talk bubbles filled with snappy little comments.
150 Funniest Resume Mistakes, Bloopers and Blunders Ever—A compilation of the best resume quotes from a variety of career websites. Some might make you wince, but most will make you laugh. One of my favorites is that someone listed “stalking, shipping and receiving” under work experience. A professional stalker? Heck yes. He’s hired!
So have you guys ever come across a terrible typo on a resume? Or a mention of completely irrelevant information that made everyone in your office laugh? Go ahead and share your stories!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Pants on fire
I’m a terrible liar. Absolutely terrible. I blame it on my irritatingly vocal conscience. That damn Jiminy Cricket sits on my shoulder and screams in my ear every time I do something that teeters on the edge of questionable behavior—especially when it comes to lying. I thought crickets were supposed to be cute and charming and wear funny little top hats. But not mine. He likes to yell. A lot.
I’ve always had a hard time telling lies, especially when it comes to work. I’ve never even played hooky once in my life (shameful, I know). So when it came to thinking about changing jobs, I didn’t think I’d be able to do it. Knowing how devious I’d have to be made me almost sick to my stomach. And since things at my company were tight, I felt even worse.
But I sucked it up and kept my job search a secret. Every time I went to work, I felt like I had a brick in my stomach. Every time I talked, I was worried I would say too much. I snuck out to make phone calls, hiding under bridges and crouching behind buildings to talk. I didn’t tell even my closest work friends, and when they asked me questions about jobs or moving, I lied through my teeth. Each time, it became easier to ignore Jiminy’s shrill voice.
Then one day I got an interview. And as luck would have it, I was able to schedule it on a vacation day I was already taking. Phew. The best part? It went really, really well. I felt great about it and knew my days of being a big liar were numbered.
But then I had to wait. And wait. And wait some more. The HR girl and I exchanged numerous emails, but that was all. I can’t even tell you how many times I cried/broke down/stressed out during those couple of months. I knew it was the right job, but all I could do was wait and act like nothing was going on. It was like leading a double life.
The call for the second interview came quickly and almost out of the blue after months of waiting. They wanted to see me two days later, in the middle of the week, in the city I wanted to move to.
I couldn’t lie to my boss. I just couldn’t. But once I got used to lying, the lies started to roll off my tongue. After I hung up the phone, I rushed straight into his office and told him I had to take my mom to get a colonoscopy and would be out all day (I’m such a terrible person!) To my surprise, he was so concerned for my mom that he let me take a sick day without question. I felt like a total slime ball.
I didn’t have to feel slimy for too long though, because I got the job immediately after the interview. And all my lying worked because they didn’t have a clue I was looking. I put in my two weeks, moved away and haven’t looked back since.
I’d like to say I’m better at lying now, but that would be a lie. Because as soon as my lying-out-of-necessity habit broke, Jiminy came screaming back with a vengeance and one hell of a guilt trip. Oh well. It was fun while it lasted!
So what do you guys think? Are you good liars? Brilliant at playing hooky? Have any good stories about lying to hide your job search? Let’s hear them! (And by the way, I LOVED reading your coworker rants last week. I laughed out loud many times, so thanks for sharing!)
I’ve always had a hard time telling lies, especially when it comes to work. I’ve never even played hooky once in my life (shameful, I know). So when it came to thinking about changing jobs, I didn’t think I’d be able to do it. Knowing how devious I’d have to be made me almost sick to my stomach. And since things at my company were tight, I felt even worse.
But I sucked it up and kept my job search a secret. Every time I went to work, I felt like I had a brick in my stomach. Every time I talked, I was worried I would say too much. I snuck out to make phone calls, hiding under bridges and crouching behind buildings to talk. I didn’t tell even my closest work friends, and when they asked me questions about jobs or moving, I lied through my teeth. Each time, it became easier to ignore Jiminy’s shrill voice.
Then one day I got an interview. And as luck would have it, I was able to schedule it on a vacation day I was already taking. Phew. The best part? It went really, really well. I felt great about it and knew my days of being a big liar were numbered.
But then I had to wait. And wait. And wait some more. The HR girl and I exchanged numerous emails, but that was all. I can’t even tell you how many times I cried/broke down/stressed out during those couple of months. I knew it was the right job, but all I could do was wait and act like nothing was going on. It was like leading a double life.
The call for the second interview came quickly and almost out of the blue after months of waiting. They wanted to see me two days later, in the middle of the week, in the city I wanted to move to.
I couldn’t lie to my boss. I just couldn’t. But once I got used to lying, the lies started to roll off my tongue. After I hung up the phone, I rushed straight into his office and told him I had to take my mom to get a colonoscopy and would be out all day (I’m such a terrible person!) To my surprise, he was so concerned for my mom that he let me take a sick day without question. I felt like a total slime ball.
I didn’t have to feel slimy for too long though, because I got the job immediately after the interview. And all my lying worked because they didn’t have a clue I was looking. I put in my two weeks, moved away and haven’t looked back since.
I’d like to say I’m better at lying now, but that would be a lie. Because as soon as my lying-out-of-necessity habit broke, Jiminy came screaming back with a vengeance and one hell of a guilt trip. Oh well. It was fun while it lasted!
So what do you guys think? Are you good liars? Brilliant at playing hooky? Have any good stories about lying to hide your job search? Let’s hear them! (And by the way, I LOVED reading your coworker rants last week. I laughed out loud many times, so thanks for sharing!)
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Welcome to Hotel Hell. Check in time is now. Check out time is never.
Annoying coworkers. We all have them. Sure, some are worse than others, but no matter where you work, they’re always there, driving you a little crazy. It could be the woman who won’t stop talking about all the cute things her kids do. Or the girl who obsesses over her cats…and cat pictures. Or the guy who spends most of his day on the phone discussing his time playing World of Warcraft (whatever that is).
I was used to the ones in my old office. I could easily tune out the girl who talked in a baby voice or the woman who counted every calorie everyone in the office ate. But now that I’m in a new office, I’m experiencing a whole new world of people’s quirks.
It hit me when I was sitting at my desk last week listening to my coworker blast another loud, screaming, angry heavy metal song. I mentally started ticking off the annoyances I’ve tried to ignore over my first few months and wondered how the heck I hadn’t really noticed them before.
Sure, there are the normal annoyances, like the nose-whistling breathers or the tuna salad aficionados (sick). And I honestly thought the coworker who constantly talked about her beloved pet rats was the worst offender. But then one day (and many after), I overheard two women swapping their hunting stories, complete with excessively graphic details. At the mere mention of “kill shots” and “gutting”, I went running out of my cube. I’m a city girl, thankyouverymuch. And I don’t want to hear about how you gunned down Bambi’s mom over the weekend (sob).
And I’m not saying I’m not the annoying coworker to someone else. I'm sure I am. I always feel so guilty when I bring an apple to eat. There’s no way to cut it, so I have to eat it straight up and I feel like every bite echoes like a gunshot across the office. Whoops.
So originally I was going to write this post about how avoid/deal with/rise above annoying coworkers. But where’s the fun in that? We all have our stories, so why not share them here? Hearing about other people’s obnoxious coworkers might make ours look a little less annoying. So let’s help each other commiserate.
And in the meantime, check out Annoying Coworker to read other people’s office rants. They’re quite funny. And they definitely make you feel a lot better about your own annoying coworkers.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Planning my escape a year in advance
When I first set out in the working world and had to face the thought of only having 10 vacation days a year, I couldn’t wrap my head around it. You mean I could only have 10 days to myself the ENTIRE YEAR? Doesn’t that seem cruel?!I certainly wasn’t pleased with my work-to-vacation ratio, but I dove right and discovered that the 10 days were manageable. Sure, I would have loved more time off (a lot more time off), but I quickly learned how to utilize personal days, maximize sick days and how to hug weekends and holidays to make vacations last a little longer.
My old job was super flexible. I only had to give a day’s notice before I’d be flying high with sweet little vacation day. My new job? Not so much.
Now I get 15 vacation days a year, which sounded like quite a bit at first. But when I found out that time off is determined on a first-come, first-served basis, I knew I had to act fast. Especially after my boss informed me that my coworker had saved almost all of his vacation time for the end of last year and caused quite a commotion. Much like the cartoon above, he left the team high and dry right at the busiest time of year because he hasn’t planned accordingly. And after hearing that, I certainly don’t want to be that guy.
Planning for the entire year is quite a daunting task. But I laid out my little calendar, had long talks with my boyfriend and my family, and somehow managed to plan out 99% of my vacation time and get it all approved. Phew.
At least it gives me something to look forward to. But I have to admit, it’s a bit stifling thinking that all my days off are already planned. So much for being spontaneous! I guess that’s what sick days are for, right?
My first vacation day is exactly 28 workdays away. Not that I’m counting or anything…
So what about you? How do you tackle vacation days? Do you have to plan them way far out like I do or can you simply fly by the seat of your pants?
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